2014 Video of the Week #08 (Pressure Vessel Hydro and Bench Testing RV)
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RECALL NOTICE: SEWN CORDS DUE TO FALL HAZARD (Used in PFAS and CS Rescue)
Recall Summary Name of Product: Sewn cord edge restraints, sewn eyes and sewn loops. Hazard: Sewn cords break at a lower weight than published weight values, posing a fall hazard. Remedy: Replace Consumer Contact: Sterling Rope Company at (800) 788-7673 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Recall Details Units: About 9,200…...
Relief Valve (RV) Header vs. Directly to Atmosphere
It seems these days that having a relief valve header is the way to go; but why is that? Why are so many businesses deciding an “RV header” is the way to go with their RV Design Basis? In the process safety world, a facility is required to have a “relief design basis” and the…...
The “Herald of Free Enterprise” disaster
The Herald of Free Enterprise capsized on March 6, 1987, killing ~200 people. It sank because its inner and outer bow doors had been left open on sailing due to a combination of factors and decisions. The subsequent investigation found that all of these could have been avoided or ameliorated. Management failures set up a…...
OSHA issues PSM citations @ Polymers plant (Methyl Chloride and $77K)
OSHA has cited a polymers plant for 12 violations, mainly for exposing workers to chemical hazards from solvents used at the plant. The inspection was initiated following a referral from the National Response Center (NRC) due to an incident involving a methyl chloride release at the plant on July 18, 2013. One repeat PSM violation…...
Another example of “Temporary Operations” in Process Safety
As I have mentioned before, this “temporary operations” mode confuses a lot of facilities. Almost all facilities will state, without hesitation, that they have no “temporary operations.” And almost always, as we proceed with our assessment/analysis, we find numerous “temporary operations.” As I write this posting, it is -10°F here in Cincinnati, OH, a temperature…...
27 incidents & 3 updates (2/16/14)
MANY THANKS to my NEWEST and RENEWING Partners in Safety 2014 Fatality Tracker Electrical 6 (2013 = 32) (2012 = 68) Forklift/Manlift 7 (2013=62) (2012 = 52) Mining* 6 2013=87*) (2012 = 92*) *no longer includes China accidents Explosions 26 (2013=194) (2012 = 241) Cranes 3 (2013=51) (2012 = 52) Falls 15 (2013=106)…...
2014 Photo of the Week #07 (Forklift, Ladder, Falls)
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Final Refinery Safety Report Calls for Greater Collaboration and Oversight to Protect the Public and Employees (CAL-OSHA)
After more than 18 months of working with communities, workers and industry leaders, the state’s Interagency Working Group on Refinery Safety (Working Group) today released its final report outlining recommendations to improve public and worker safety at and near the state’s oil refineries. A task force has already begun overseeing implementation of many recommendations and…...
2014 Video of the Week #07 (Distracted Driving)
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OSHA issues “Per-instance” Willfuls for Guarding and LOTO
In August 2013, a 32-year-old machine helper entered a large wire mesh manufacturing machine to retrieve a fallen metal bar, and he was struck and killed by a part that feeds the wire into the machine’s welding area. The light curtain that would have automatically turned the machine off before he entered the danger zone…...
Another PSM Learning opportunity (Line Break, Safe Work Permit, LOTO, PPE, Pipe Labeling)
I want to encourage you to ask around and maybe even go as far as auditing around this learning opportunity to assess if this is going on at your facility. If your process involves doing preventive maintenance on flame arrestors and/or conservation vents, what controls are in place for this “routine work”? What kind of…...